Is My Azalea Dying...

[Mellow Mullet]

...it has dropped a lot of leaves? If it is winter, probably not. While most are considered evergreen, they should be called semi-deciduous, as most of the ones that I have seen lose some or most of their leaves in the winter months. A case in point, this is an azalea called "Congo", I don't know the type, but i think it is an indica. Here is a summer shot:



In winter, it loses almost all of its leaves. Check it out:







See, only the last three or four on a branch surrounding the bud are kept. The reddish-green tint will return to bright green in Spring on the remaining leaves. They reddish tint is an indication that the flowers will be a shade of red or purple.

So, if your azalea looks a little puny during the winter months, don't write it off until spring, it might just be doing what it is supposed to be doing.

John

 

[M. Frary]

From the title I thought,well maybe you lost it.
You would know what a dying azalea looks like.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

From the title I thought,well maybe you lost it.
You would know what a dying azalea looks like.

Yeah, I have lost a few along the way. Some that I wished that I hadn't.

John

 

[0soyoung]

I don't think so @Mellow Mullet (yet anyway).
This azalea looks like yours does now every winter .
As long as the little 3 leaf cluster is around the tip, mine will pop blossoms and leaves in spring. Then it is just like any azalea.

At any rate, don't give up on yours until the tip leaf clusters are good and crispy and/or fall off.

 

[JudyB]

So just as a hypothetical with this tree, would you wait till after blooming and take branches back to an inner bud to keep it from getting leggy?

 

[Mellow Mullet]

So just as a hypothetical with this tree, would you wait till after blooming and take branches back to an inner bud to keep it from getting leggy?

That is what I do, Judy.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I don't think so @Mellow Mullet (yet anyway).
This azalea looks like yours does now every winter View attachment 178317 .
As long as the little 3 leaf cluster is around the tip, mine will pop blossoms and leaves in spring. Then it is just like any azalea.

At any rate, don't give up on yours until the tip leaf clusters are good and crispy and/or fall off.

Oso, the title was misleading, the azalea is fine. I just see posts like this from time to time and wanted to show that it is natural for some to do this.

John

 

[Adair M]

So just as a hypothetical with this tree, would you wait till after blooming and take branches back to an inner bud to keep it from getting leggy?

If you want to see the flowers, yes, wait until after it blooms.

However, if you want to maximize the development of the tree, you can cut it back now.

Not trying to hijack this thread, here is an example of an azalea I’ve cut back hard this time of year:

As purchased in January:



First cutback at time of purchase:


A couple months later:



Another month or so:



After cutback:



A few months later:




6 month’s later:


After cutback:



It’s beginning to look like something!

I don’t have a current picture, but it’s all wild looking again. Time for a cutback! Lol!

 

[0soyoung]

Oso, the title was misleading, the azalea is fine. I just see posts like this from time to time and wanted to show that it is natural for some to do this.

Note to self: not late in the evening after a bottle of cab. ?

 

[Carol 83]

Oso, the title was misleading, the azalea is fine. I just see posts like this from time to time and wanted to show that it is natural for some to do this.

John

That makes me feel better. One I have in the garage, looks much like that, most leaves look dead. Maybe it will pull through, after all.

 

[JudyB]

That is what I do, Judy.

Thanks. My first year with them so learning as I go...

 

[JudyB]

If you want to see the flowers, yes, wait until after it blooms.

However, if you want to maximize the development of the tree, you can cut it back now.

Not trying to hijack this thread, here is an example of an azalea I’ve cut back hard this time of year:

As purchased in January:

View attachment 178345

First cutback at time of purchase:
View attachment 178346

A couple months later:

View attachment 178348

Another month or so:

View attachment 178349

After cutback:

View attachment 178350

A few months later:

View attachment 178351


6 month’s later:
View attachment 178353

After cutback:

View attachment 178354

It’s beginning to look like something!

I don’t have a current picture, but it’s all wild looking again. Time for a cutback! Lol!

Good progress, one of mine will need more development, but one is in refinement/finishing stages. I think I'll let both bloom this year, and see them.

 

[Adair M]

Note to self: not late in the evening after a bottle of cab. ?

Oh, that’s when it gets fun!

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Good progress, one of mine will need more development, but one is in refinement/finishing stages. I think I'll let both bloom this year, and see them.

To me, the flowers are why I grow azaleas, it would be a lot easier to grow something else. Chopping off the flowers accomplishes nothing, they grow like weeds as soon as it warms up. You won't be any further ahead by missing out on the show. It is just another bonsai myth.

It is true, if you don't care about the flowers, hack away if you feel the urge. You will be no further ahead than someone who didn't.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Note to self: not late in the evening after a bottle of cab. ?

I feel your pain. I have regretted many alcohol "enhanced" posts.